You know that when you turn the steering wheel in your car, the wheels turn. Cause and effect, right? But a lot of interesting stuff goes on between the steering wheel and the tires to make this happen.

In this article, we'll see how the two most common types of c­ar steering systems work: rack-and-pinion and recirculating-ball steering. Then we'll examine power steering and find out about some interesting future developments in steering systems, driven mostly by the need to increase the fuel efficiency of cars. But first, let's see what you have to do turn a car. It's not quite as simple as you might think!

Hot bulb engines helped usher in the Industrial Age and served as a missing link of sorts between primitive and modern engines. The machines are quirky, temperamental and irascible. But they're also well-loved by users and collectors, a deserving fate for what has been described as a workhorse for early technology.

Crankshaft bearings support the crankshaft, one of the components that makes your car's engine rotate. For such an important part, you want to be sure they're working properly. But how long do they last, and how can you tell if they need replacing?